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The ChiSox Athletes, the Chicago White Sox organizations NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) team, recently announced their 12 newest members, including a pair of athletes with Journal-area ties.
According to the White Sox, the program is designed to elevate participants platforms and careers across sports, marketing and business industries, and beyond.
Cole McKinney, a Lake Forest native who attended Loyola Academy, is one of the 12 members selected.
He currently plays mens ice hockey at the University of Michigan.
He was drafted in the 2025 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks, but he will join the team after he graduates from Michigan.
Maine West High School alum Gracie John, a native of Des Plaines, also made the group as a member of the dance team at Marquette University.
The other selections this year were Nasir Bailey (University of Iowa mens wrestling; Park Forest; Rich Township), Lenee Beaumont (Indiana University womens basketball; Lisle; Benet Academy), Grace Egan (University of Wisconsin womens volleyball; Sterling HS), Billy Gneiser (DePaul University mens golf; Darien; Hinsdale South), Destiny Jackson (University of Illinois womens basketball; Chicago; Whitney M.
Young), Morez Johnson Jr.
(University of Michigan mens basketball/Dallas Mavericks; Riverdale; Thornton), Cooper Koch (Iowa mens basketball; Peoria; Metamora), Alessio Milivojevic (Michigan State University mens football; Naperville; St.
Francis), Gigi Navarrete (Northwestern University womens volleyball; Palos Heights; Mother McAuley) and John Nestor (University of Minnesota mens football; Chicago; Marist).
This is the fifth year of the program.
According to the White Sox, being a ChiSox Athlete provides student-athletes with personalized career mentorship from leading sports executives, in addition to networking and professional development opportunities with leaders from United Airlines, sponsor of the program.
Athletes are invited to Rate Field to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
Other benefits include marketing opportunities, networking and exclusive photoshoots.
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